Jake Paul’s much-publicised transition from YouTube stardom to skilled boxing has been one in every of fight sports activities’ most-watched tales. But, regardless of signing a high-profile cope with the PFL in 2023 and repeatedly teasing a transfer to combined martial arts, PFL management now says an MMA debut for Paul seems more and more unlikely.
Jake Paul’s PFL MMA Future in Query
In early 2023, Paul signed an unique, multi-year cope with the PFL, changing into the primary fighter within the league’s new Pay-Per-View Tremendous Combat Division, a platform he co-created to offer fighters a 50% share of occasion revenues. The settlement included each the choice for Paul to combat in MMA and an advisory function selling the league and its fighters. Paul and his enterprise accomplice, Nakisa Bidarian, additionally turned minority fairness house owners within the PFL.
On the time, Paul declared his intention to compete in MMA, saying, “I plan to enter the PFL SmartCage and as soon as once more present the world that something is feasible with arduous work and dedication.” He even referred to as out high-profile MMA names similar to Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor for potential cross-discipline showdowns.
Regardless of these ambitions, greater than two years have handed since Paul’s signing, and he has but to make his MMA debut. Dan Hardy, who oversees PFL’s European occasions, just lately forged doubt on whether or not Paul will ever combat in MMA. “Can we ever see him in MMA? I don’t suppose so,” Hardy advised MMA Combating. “He’s fairly targeted on boxing. It’s a variety of work for him to cross over to combined martial arts, and he’s not going to combat anyone that you just’ve by no means heard of earlier than. It’s going to need to be an honest title, or in any other case, individuals gained’t watch it. Even previous guys in MMA may nonetheless deal with enterprise, I believe, with Jake Paul.
Hardy and others throughout the PFL now view Jake Paul primarily as a promotional asset moderately than a future MMA competitor. “He’s undoubtedly a disruptor. That’s the primary objective he’s serving proper now. He’s a profit to the PFL in that regard,” Hardy mentioned.
Paul’s focus has remained on boxing, the place he continues to attract important consideration and income. He has referred to as out top-tier opponents, together with two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, and continues to headline main occasions. FL chairman Donn Davis just lately acknowledged that Paul’s boxing success has delayed any MMA plans, stating there’s “no stress to hurry him” and suggesting that, if it occurs, an MMA debut wouldn’t happen earlier than fall 2025.
Whereas Jake Paul’s preliminary PFL signing generated pleasure a couple of crossover to MMA, the league’s management now brazenly doubts that he’ll ever step into the cage. For now, Paul’s influence on the PFL seems to be as a promoter and disruptor, together with his preventing profession firmly rooted in boxing.
